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Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Neural dynamics during emotional video engagement relate to anxiety
Jason Nan1,2, Pragathi P Balasubramani1,3, Dhakshin Ramanathan1,4,5
1Neural Engineering and Translation Labs, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.
Abstract:
Inter-subject correlations (ISCs) of physiological data can reveal common stimulus-driven processing across subjects. ISC has been applied to passive video viewing in small samples to measure common engagement and emotional processing. Here, in a large sample study of healthy adults (N = 163) who watched an emotional film (The Lion Cage by Charlie Chaplin), we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) across participants and measured ISC in theta, alpha and beta frequency bands. Peak ISC on the emotionally engaging video was observed three-quarters into the film clip, during a time period which potentially elicited a positive emotion of relief. Peak ISC in all frequency bands was focused over centro-parietal electrodes localizing to superior parietal cortex. ISC in both alpha and beta frequencies had a significant inverse relationship with anxiety symptoms. Our study suggests that ISC measured during continuous non-event-locked passive viewing may serve as a useful marker for anxious mood.
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